HOULTON, Maine — During the COVID pandemic, when Heath and Erica Burkhart ventured more than 1,000 miles from North Carolina’s Outer Banks with their five children for a new life in Maine, they had no idea that just six years later they would be farmers running a store and commercial embroidery business in downtown Houlton.
After selling a portable toilet business they had in North Carolina, the family of seven headed north to discover a new way of living closer to the earth. They were among the thousands from more heavily populated U.S. cities who made rural Maine their home during the pandemic.
But before they found their stride, the family endured some challenges and restarts. Their first farm — nestled between Alton Bog on one side and the interstate on the other — had no tillable fields for growing the feed they needed for their pigs, cows, cattle, ducks and chickens. On top of that, everyone was crammed into a 700-square-foot house.
Three years ago, the Burkharts found a 75-acre farm in Hodgdon and now, in what seems like a perfect blend, Heath stays home to tend to the farm while Erica runs the downtown business they purchased in January 2024.
Just last week, the family moved the combined operation — Bulrush Farm Mercantile and Serendipity Embroidery — from a small rented space on Court Street to a much larger building they purchased and reconfigured just off Market Square along the curve toward Route 1.
“I was driving to work this morning and thought, ‘This dream is really coming true,’” said Erica Burkhart on Tuesday while working at the shop.
On Tuesday afternoon, sun streamed into the new location, highlighting the vintage wood furnishings and rows of apparel and hats waiting for her embroidered embellishments. To prepare the shop, Heath and their 17-year-old son Waylon removed walls to create an open space. They put in new flooring and created a solid wood counter for customers. Now, it’s become an elegant country farm store with a nod to their southern roots.
Erica admits she never thought she’d be farming, but it’s obvious she has found her niche as she easily talks about the castile soaps, hair powder and balms she makes from the tallow from their cow. She now plans to start carrying books she’s recommended to others, like “The Home Creamery,” where she gets cheese recipes, and “Keeping a Family Milk Cow.”
In addition to their own farm-made products, like meats, cheeses and sourdough breads, she has included items from other organic farmers and local crafters, as well as creations from their children including beeswax tapered candles and wood and forged metal works.
They’ve also added a third embroidery machine with funding from a recent Southern Aroostook Development Corp. $10,000 microgrant, which has really helped that side of the business, Erica said.
“It gives me a chance to plug along on a big order and still keep moving things along so I don’t get a bottleneck or if there is a walk-in often from someone visiting the area, I can plug it in the machine while they have lunch,” she said.
About 60% of the embroidery business is commercial, often for employees of area businesses, and the remainder is for gifts and souvenirs, she said.
She tries to keep the prices reasonable. For example, embroidered baseball caps start at $14.99.
On Tuesday afternoon, business was booming. Someone was picking up a box of embroidered hats. A woman purchased farm goods and returned jars. A grandmother came in to talk with Erica about a plan she had.
“I have 11 grandkids, they all come at once. I want to bring them all in and let them design stuff,” she said.
The mercantile and embroidery business’ official grand opening is Sept. 30 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with refreshments and samples of all the items they sell, including fresh bread and butter, cheeses, granolas and produce.
